New Criteria for 2011 Exams


Performing

During this study students should aim to develop performance skills through solo or group music making.

Performance demands self-discipline and focus on the part of students as they learn to recreate music.


Solo performing—SLS, HL


The student is required to submit a recording selected from pieces presented during one or more public

performance(s). The total performance time must be:

• SL—15 minutes

  1. •HL—20 minutes.


The purpose of recording performances is to allow students subsequently to select a number of contrasting pieces to represent their best work for internal assessment. The Diploma Program music teacher must be able to verify that the recording is the authentic performance of each student.

In performing their pieces students may use:

1. any instrument and/or voice, or

  1. 2.the computer as a musical instrument.


Students may not present a combination of 1 and 2.


Any musical style is permitted. However, the submission should consist of contrasting pieces and should display the student’s strengths. The submission should reflect the best that the student has achieved throughout the course.


Music technology


Students choosing music technology must use pre-existing pieces and present them as recorded

performances that show interpretative and stylistic qualities. This means that close attention must be paid to aspects of articulation, dynamics, phrasing, tempo, timbre/tone colour, part balance and other pertinent musical characteristics, just as in a traditional instrumental performance.


Each performance of a pre-existing piece for music technology purposes must involve a minimum of four simultaneously sounding parts. The use of the drum kit constitutes a single part. Conversely, the performance of a four-part fugue for keyboard or a string quartet fulfills the requirement, as would a jazz combo of bass, piano, drum kit and saxophone.


All parts must be MIDI-entered—sampled parts and drum loops are only acceptable if the teacher is able to verify that the samples have been performed by the student.


Small group


Students may also choose to include one example of work as a member of a small group. However, the student’s contribution to this small group must be clearly identifiable, with, if any, limited doubling by

another instrument/voice, and must be a substantial part of the piece. This piece may not exceed five

minutes in duration.


As solo performance in music technology already involves a minimum of four instruments, music technology students may not present a small group piece.


Accompaniment


With reference to accompaniment, submissions must be presented according to musical convention.


For example, if a piece is composed for flute with piano accompaniment then it is expected that the presentation will feature both the soloist and the accompanist. Backing tracks of accompaniments not conceived as such are strongly discouraged.


In some cases, musical conventions will dictate more than one performer as part of the accompaniment. For example, a jazz saxophonist may traditionally perform along with piano, guitar, string bass and drum kit.


Another example is a singer in a rock band, who may have the backing of an electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit.


Despite the number of musicians providing the accompaniment in these cases, it can be said that the structure of the groups is still solo and accompaniment. In these particular cases the piece will still be considered as a solo piece. Piano reductions are also acceptable—as, for example, in the case of a concerto.


Group performing—SLG


Students following this SL option are expected to be active, participating members of a musical group that performs on a regular basis in public during the course.


The Diploma Program music teacher should advise students on the appropriateness of a group and its repertoire, paying special regard to the student’s interests and abilities in relation to those of the rest of the group.


Students should not necessarily be limited to groups organized by the Diploma Program music teacher, or offered in the school.


A group may be composed entirely or partially of Diploma Program music students, with a scheme of rehearsal and performance designed to meet the criteria for this option.


A group could be as small as two people. However, the participating role of each performer must be of

equal musical importance. A soloist being accompanied by another student does not constitute a group.


Using the computer as a musical instrument (as defined in the solo performing option) is not permitted in the group performing option.


Examples of musical groups (any size or style) include (but are not limited to):

• choir

• orchestra

• concert/wind band

• rock/pop band

  1. •chamber group.


For assessment purposes, the recordings must be of the same group in two or more public performances.

The total performance time must be:

  1. •20–30 minutes.


Requirements


Each student will be assessed on the work done in one group only and each Diploma Programme music student following this SL option who is a member of this group will receive the same mark.


Students will need to commit to sustained practice and rehearsal, as traditionally associated with group

performing, and perform on a regular basis in public.


The group is required to submit a selection of pieces recorded from two or more public performances

during the course of study.


When the Diploma Program music teacher is not the conductor or leader of the group (such as groups

led by other teachers in the school, or by musicians either in or out of the school), the teacher must be able to verify that the recording is the authentic performance of each student.


Teachers may be the conductors, leaders and/or accompanists of groups. An accompanist is also permitted for larger-scale vocal groups. However, no music teacher or professional musician may have any other performing role in the musical group to be assessed.


The chosen group may or may not be accompanied, depending on the nature of the group and

the repertoire. For example, a vocal group might present pieces a cappella, and/or pieces with piano/

instrumental accompaniment. However, groups must be accompanied according to standard musical

practice. Nevertheless it is the group that is assessed and not the accompanist(s).